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Thomas C. Douglass was a physician from Wilmette, Illinois who served during WWII in both domestic and foreign locations including Colorado, Chicago, Michigan, North Carolina and Guadalcanal. They had a son, Tommy, who was born during wartime. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki:
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Thomas C. Douglass Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
This collection has been arranged chronologically.
Letters of Thomas C. Douglass, 1941-1946, relating to World War II. Letters to his wife Suzanne Lyon Wallace Douglass (1922-1999) concern family issues and war news and include descriptions of his medical practices and financial dealings.
Personal letters to Suzanne Lyon. Professes his love. News of his dying father. Discusses possible future plans.
Instructions on life insurance policies. Medical advice on Suzanne's pregnancy. Descriptions of daily routine. Request for popular books. Words of concern and love for the unborn child and the mother.
Complains of assignment to septic surgery instead of abdominal section. Expresses gratitude for Suzanne's visit.
Advice on pregnancy care and delivery. Promises to return home to see the baby soon.
Separately celebrates the 9th month of marriage. Requests for a camera to photograph surgical specimens and patients. Friend Burns and his wife Marion had a daughter. Requests Suzanne to look for a home to buy. Advises on letter censorship and requests not to spoil the newborn, Tommy.
Fixes anesthetic apparatus. Tommy turns four months old of February 19, 1943. Discusses Suzanne's desire to move. Receives the requested camera.
Suzanne moves from Wilmette to Chicago, Illinois. Thomas C. Douglass in charge of surgery and a large ward. Schedules a complicated hand surgery. Estimates the war to end in three years.
Suzanne gets a dog. Sister sells the house. Mention of coal strike in the news. Holds the Congress responsible for unstable economy. Thomas C. Douglass's bronchitis develops into a small cold.
News of new landing of troops on Vella Lavella, expects Italy to drive out the Nazis. Expects to be home in about 1946. All the fish in the aquarium die.
Tommy gets more teeth. Operates on an elbow to prevent hand paralysis. Expects to serve in the war until 1945 or 1946. News of Russia fighting Germans on the borders. Worries the possible extension of the war.
Suzanne joins Women's Faculty Club. Advises Suzanne to refrain from traveling and purchasing a house during wartime. Anticipates the victorious battles in Europe will speed up the war.
Victory in Europe slow. Military considers two-year rotation policy - possibility of a leave in one year.
Celebrates the second wedding anniversary overseas. Operates on several cases of appendix. News of Russians near Chekoslovakia. New hospital opens. Two-year rotation policy still unclear. Anniversary of 18th month overseas.
Encouraging news of the European invasion. Gives advice on finance and on Tommy's behavior.
Rumors of the war in Europe ending. Russians fight Germans in the East. Still uses APO, but the military permits disclosure of the location. Operates amputation surgeries and treats few cases of severe burns.
Rumors of the ending of the European war in two months. Possible addition of two more doctors to the hospital. Tommy has a birthday. News of successful United States landing in the central Phillipines. Second anniversary of being overseas.
Operates on the biggest abdominal case and few cases of hernias. The western front in Europe a slow progress. German offensive in Europe withdraws.
Expects to come home before the year end. Russian advances on the eastern front in Europe. Suzanne moves to 226 Washington Avenue, Glenview, Illinois.
Arrives at new base. President Roosevelt dies. Decides to take the leave over the chance of rotation - the assignment to domestic location.
Grants a 45-day leave. The German war practically over.
Suzanne has a mild health problem with her breasts. Expects to be home in four months. Suzanne fixes up the house in Wilmette. The President's address signals the possible ending of the war. Arranges for Suzanne's visit.
Thomas C. Douglass's x-rays come back negative. Requests his publications sent to Dr. Davis.
Advice on finance. Progress on house remodeling. Arrangements for G.I. loan. Plans Suzanne's visit.
Words of love to Tommy and his mother.
Praises the new house and talks about Italian atmosphere.
Informing of arrival.